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Background of Gifted Education in District 181
2007-2008
The new
programs continue to be phased in, with grades 3 & 4 and 6 & 7 fully
implemented. The district continues to reap the benefits of having a gifted
specialist in each school and of tiered instruction in language arts and math.
(Click on this link for details on the gifted curriculum:
http://www.d181.org/curriculum/gifted_brochure01.pdf )
However, our
work is not finished. We must continue to provide
constructive
feedback to
both the District 181 School Board and Administrators so that each child
receives the education that he or she needs, particularly as the pressure to
reduce state and local budgets continues to increase. In addition, there is
substantial room for additional improvement if we are to remain a district that
addresses the educational and social/emotional needs of all children.
We hope that more will be done to:
·
Meet the needs of gifted children in the primary
grades
·
Increase acceleration opportunities in social
studies and science
·
Understand the needs of and offer services to
children who are “twice exceptional”
·
Allow early entrance more often and increase
opportunities for whole-grade acceleration
Finally, as money becomes available from the state, we must ensure that it is
made directly available for gifted education in our district. In short, we must
continue to advocate!!
2006-2007
The continued
hard work, dedication and advocacy of many teachers, parents and administrators
have paid off. The new gifted curriculum is now being administered and is
directly addressing the needs of over 30% of the children in our district while
the increase
in differentiation is positively
affecting
many more. Please click on the link below for information regarding the new
District 181 Gifted Curriculum:
http://www.d181.org/curriculum/gifted_brochure01.pdf
2005 - 2006
In the
2005-2006 school year there were several task forces convened to look at issues
of concern to GECO members. The a group reviewed the structure, format and
criteria for the elementary and middle school gifted programs.
At the
elementary school, a three tiered approach was recommended, along with a gifted
specialist at every school. Tier one involves use of protected time and
differentiation. Tier two includes some pull-out or push-in activities with the
gifted specialist at the student's school. Tier three requires one day per week
pull-out magnet program.
At the middle
schools, again a full time gifted specialist in each school is recommended,
along with a more rigorous language arts program for students talented in the
language arts and a more accelerated math program for students able to tackle
math at a faster pace than it has been offered in the past. Additionally, some
students will be identified for a daily pull-out with the gifted specialist.
2005 - 2006In the 2005-2006 school year there were several task forces convened to look at issues of concern to GECO members. The a group reviewed the structure, format and criteria for the elementary and middle school gifted programs. At the elementary school, a three tiered approach was recommended, along with a gifted specialist at every school. Tier one involves use of protected time and differentiation. Tier two includes some pull-out or push-in activities with the gifted specialist at the student's school. Tier three requires one day per week pull-out magnet program. At the middle schools, again a full time gifted specialist in each school is recommended, along with a more rigorous language arts program for students talented in the language arts and a more accelerated math program for students able to tackle math at a faster pace than it has been offered in the past. Additionally, some students will be identified for a daily pull-out with the gifted specialist. Details of this new program as still being worked out, and nothing has yet been posted on the district web site. When it is a link will be placed here.
2003 - 2004There was a Gifted Audit conducted by Joyce Van Tassel Baska in 2004. It was as a result of this audit that the school district adopted this strategic initiative. To see a copy of the executive summary of the audit, see the gifted education section on the District 181 web site. A full copy of the audit can be obtained from the district offices, call 887-1070 to request a copy.
Who are the people making decisions about the education of your child locally? School District 181 Board of Education members:
Contact board members by e-mail. School District 181 Administration:
See www.D181.org for more information regarding District 181. Back to Top |
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